Defence Fire Service

EDM number 1877 in 2002-03, proposed by John Grogan on 05/11/2003.

That this House notes that a decision is imminent by the Ministry of Defence on whether to privatise the Defence Fire Service as part of the Airfield Support Services Project and transfer the jobs of a total of 3,000 public servants into the private sector; voices concern that the cuts in staff proposed by all three private consortia bidding to run the service pose a threat to the operational effectiveness of the Defence Fire Service; further notes that cost savings of 20 per cent. as outlined in the Fire Study 2000 review can be achieved whilst keeping the service in the public sector; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Defence to reject any plans to privatise the Defence Fire Service.

This motion has been signed by a total of 75 MPs.